Bruins 6, Penguins 2

A quick look at the Penguins’ 6-2 loss to Boston at Consol Energy Center Friday night:

*** Loui Eriksson of the Bruins scored 17 seconds into a power play at 9:39 of the second period to break a 2-2 tie and spark a run of four unanswered goals by Boston. Frank Vatrano scored the final two to complete his first NHL hat trick.

*** The Penguins are in an 0-3-1 skid and have lost their first three games with Mike Sullivan as coach by a total of 10 goals.

*** Rookie winger Conor Sheary, playing his second NHL game, scored the Penguins’ first goal [his first in the league] and assisted on their second. He also fit in nicely on the top line, alongside Sidney Crosby – who had the primary assist on both Penguins goals – and Chris Kunitz. “I thought he helped Sid’s line, for sure,” Sullivan said. “He brought a lot to the table for that line. That line was good.”

*** The Penguins trail Florida, which holds the final Eastern Conference playoff spot, by five points, which makes their game against Carolina Saturday night something close to a must-win. “I wouldn’t say it’s must-win, but it’s really important that we play the right way and hopefully come out with two points,” Sheary said. “I’ve been part of a losing streak before. One win will get you out of that.”

*** Defenseman Trevor Daley, acquired from Chicago Monday, scored the Penguins’ second goal.

*** Sullivan, on the challenge confronting his team: “There are a lot of doubters out there right now. I believe we can hold this group together. It’s a long season. There’s a lot of hockey left.”

*** Boston’s Tuukka Rask failed in his bid to become the first goalie to shut out the Penguins in three consecutive starts.

Sullivan, on the way his team reacts to adversity: “Emotionally, we have to become more resilient.”

*** Crosby, on the Penguins’ ongoing skid through the standings: “We have to find a way to go out and win a hockey game. It doesn’t matter what happens. We have to get two points.”

*** The Penguins got some encouragement from a surprising source, Boston coach Claude Julien. “It’s frustrating [for the Penguins], and when you’re frustrated, it’s hard to see the light at the end of the tunnel,” he said. “But they're a good team. They’ll get out of it. Mike is a good coach. He just needs a little bit more time to work with these guys and he’ll have them going on the right path.”

*** The Penguins opened the scoring for the first time in five games.

*** Defenseman Ben Lovejoy, on the Penguins’ current predicament: “We’re disappointed in ourselves. We know we have better. But guys in his room feel that we have the team and the character to turn this around.”

*** Crosby has six multiple-point games this season.

*** Injured defenseman Kris Letang sidelined by an unspecified injury, is having a forgettable season, but the Penguins are 1-9-2 in the past 12 regular-season games he’s missed.